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New head for Criminal Justice IT programme

John Suffolk appointed director general of £1.2bn modernisation project

The Criminal Justice IT (CJIT) programme has appointed a new director general.

John Suffolk, formerly operations and managing director at Britannia Building Society, will replace Jo Wright who has completed her two-year contract.

Suffolk has over 25 years' experience of managing major transformation IT programmes, and will use his cross-industry expertise to take over management of the programme's £1.2bn, three-year budget.

The appointment is for a fixed, two-year term and was made following an open competition under the guidance of the Civil Service Commissioners.

Suffolk said in a statement: "This is a pivotal programme with a compelling vision of joining up technology and business reform to make the Criminal Justice System work better."

The CJIT was initiated to modernise and secure a centralised IT infrastructure for the Prison and Court Services, as well as for police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Baroness Scotland, minister for CJIT, said in a statement: "This is an exciting programme with the potential to make a huge difference to the way we cut crime, deliver justice and improve customer service."